Central Staff News

Nurse Emily Geeslin, or “Nurse G” as her students call her, is passionate about bringing health promotion and disease prevention to North Dallas High School. Not only has she successfully pushed vaccination events, screened students for vision and hearing problems and provided emergency care to students in need, but she has also fostered community relationships that are transforming student lives every day. 

For all those reasons and more, Principal Katherine Wanserski Eska jumped at the opportunity to nominate Geeslin as the 2021-2022 Health Services Employee of the Year, a title Geeslin earned just in time to celebrate National School Nurse Day, which took place on May 11. 

School nurses across Dallas ISD have stepped up amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in new, innovative ways, and their passion and dedication to their communities have inspired everyone around them.

In Eska’s eyes, Geeslin is “a true heroine on our campus.”

“Beyond standard nursing responsibilities, I have witnessed Nurse Geeslin’s magic,” Eska said. “As we saw an increase in mental health concerns with our students, Nurse Geeslin complemented these changes with an intense focus on student relationships, and many students on our campus have grown to confide in Nurse Geeslin in ways I hadn’t imagined.”

For Geeslin, being a school nurse involves so much more than providing first aid. Her main goal is to remove health barriers so students can show up in the classroom every day ready to learn. One memory that stands out was when she conducted a vision and hearing screening on a student who was new to the country. Geeslin realized that he had an undiagnosed hearing impairment and helped refer him so he could get the accommodations he needed to thrive. 

Even consistent routines like reminding students to drink more water or to eat regularly add fuel to Geeslin’s enthusiasm for her work. 

“It has been so rewarding and so neat to be a part of this,” she said. “I don’t have a classroom of students on the daily, but I get to see some students and walk with them through their health journeys. I love that.”

Adapting to the pandemic presented Geeslin with a new set of obstacles, but, as usual, she rose to the challenge. She reprioritized tasks and adopted a mindset of flexibility to support North Dallas students through the many ups and downs. While it has not been easy, her team has helped her move forward every day, as have the students who “brighten my days and make me laugh,” she said.

She never expected to be nominated for Health Services Employee of the Year or to be in the limelight for all her hard work, so when she saw Eska’s nomination letter, she was touched. 

“I couldn’t even read it for a few days because I knew it was going to be really sweet,” Geeslin said. “The fact that I was nominated was an honor, but just to be chosen, I’m shocked. There are so many good nurses in Dallas ISD. They’re so creative, and they work really hard, and they love their students.” 

Congratulations to Geeslin as well as the seven Health Services Employee of the Year finalists: Lisa Jones of Atwell Middle School, Margie Covarrubias of John F. Peeler Elementary School, Pat Johnson of Mockingbird Elementary School, Stephanie Thomas Price of Kathlyn Joy Gilliam Collegiate Academy, Jessica Sundin of Lakewood Elementary School, Rosa Brown of Arcadia Park Elementary School and Madeline Bark of Frank Guzick Elementary School.

One of the more common mental health struggles people face is depression, which experts agree has only become a bigger issue after two years of isolation, loss and disruptions. 

According to the World Health Organization, depression is experienced by approximately 5 percent of all adults and is a leading cause of disability around the world. 

While mild, moderate and severe forms of depression are treatable, people must learn to recognize their symptoms to get the help they need. During a depressive episode, symptoms are typically experienced most days of the week for at least two consecutive weeks. Below are some of the most common symptoms and patterns:* 

• Having a depressed mood (feeling sad, empty or irritable)
• Feeling decreased self-worth 
• Experiencing a strong sense of guilt or shame
• Losing interest or joy in typical activities
• Feeling hopeless about the future 
• Thinking about dying or suicide 
• Sleeping too much or too little (disrupted sleep) 
• Struggling to concentrate 
• Fluctuating appetite or weight 
• Experiencing pain, fatigue or weakness

If you recognize these symptoms in yourself or the people around you, seek help. Consult your medical provider for next steps and let trusted friends, family members or co-workers know what you are experiencing. Relying on your medical and personal support system is a great first step toward healing and recovery. 

You can also reach out to on-call counselors with Dallas ISD’s Employee Assistance Program by LifeWorks. Their counselors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and using these secure, confidential EAP resources requires no employee contribution. Reach out to LifeWorks at (972) 925-4000 or visit www.dallasisd.org/benefits and click on Benefits Resources to access online EAP information.

For more information about mental health resources in the community, visit www.dallasisd.org/mentalhealthmonth.  

*Source: World Health Organization

Dallas ISD is making enrolling for pre-K so easy, parents won’t even have to leave their cars. Early Learning is holding Pre-K Pop Up Drive-thru events every Saturday in the month of May, and wants everyone to spread the word. 

Early Learning staff will be ready to help families register their students for pre-K from the comfort of their own cars between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. each Saturday in May. If families have children in other grades, the same services and support will be provided. 

Other Dallas ISD teams, including the Office of Family Engagement and the Homeless Department, will be there to provide much-needed resources to families, including HIPPY registration, free school supplies, free uniform sign-ups and social and emotional learning opportunities. Families may even catch a glimpse of staff members dressed up as Clifford the Big Red Dog and other book characters. 

“It’s a lot of fun,” Ramirez said. “We’re doing everything we can to provide all the help and services our families need, and spreading the word would really help us out. Whether you’re a teacher, administrator, custodian or TA, it does not matter. Anybody can spread the word.”

The first Saturday event at Francisco F. “Pancho” Medrano Junior High School was a success, and Ramirez cannot wait to support families at the three remaining locations: 

• May 14 – Lincoln High School and Humanities/Communications Magnet | 2826 Elsie Faye Heggins St., Dallas, 75215
• May 21 – South Oak Cliff High School | 3601 S. Marsalis Ave., Dallas, 75216
• May 28 – H. Grady Spruce High School | 9733 Old Seagoville Road, Dallas, 75217

For more information, please visit www.dallasisd.org/prek or call the Pre-K hotline at 214-932-7735.

The proposed Dallas ISD 2022-2023 budget includes $51.2 million in salary increases and $52 million for retention incentives—a combined $103.2 million in compensation increases for Dallas ISD staff. The amount for salary increases includes an adjustment in the minimum hourly wage to $15. The district is also proposing raising the starting salaries for teachers new to the district to at least $60,000.

Teachers

As part of salary increases for teachers, the district is recommending adjusting most levels in the Teacher Excellence Initiative. Teachers would get the greater of three increases—a change in TEI effectiveness level, a change in the compensation for the effectiveness level or the board approved increase (3% of compensation level). 

If earned, teachers will be eligible to advance more than one level  on the 2021-2022 scorecard. Normally, teachers can only move up one level per year. Rules for years of service and rules for Distinguished effectiveness levels will still apply.  

Assistant principals and principals

Assistant principals and principals could also see an adjustment in the compensation levels of their respective excellence initiatives. Principals and assistant principals would get the greater of three increases—a change in effectiveness level, a change in the compensation for the effectiveness level or the board approved increase (a flat rate of up to $2,500). 

Minimum wage increase

About 7,200 non-exempt support and operations staff could see an increase in their salaries through an adjustment to $15 in the hourly minimum wage. This increase in the hourly minimum wage rate would position Dallas ISD as a regional leading district in minimum wage values.

Other staff

Other eligible employees who are not under an excellence initiative could receive a 3% increase based on the midpoint and up to the maximum of their respective salary range.

If the budget is approved, teachers and campus leaders should expect to see the salary change in their October paychecks. Other employees would see the increase in their September paychecks.

Retention incentives

Staff who return for the 2022-2023 school year will be eligible to receive a retention incentive that could amount to as much as $3,500 for those on an excellent initiative and $2,500 for other employees. To be eligible to receive the retention incentive, employees must have been hired by May 1, 2022. The incentive would be included in employees’ paychecks in three installments. The first installment—$500— would be paid in September. The rest of the retention incentive would be included in the December and May paychecks. 

Teachers new to the district

The proposed budget that will be presented to the Board of Trustees this week also includes the recommendation to update the salary scale for newly hired teachers. A novice teacher with zero years of experience would start at a minimum salary of $60,000. 

Good communication is key in every work environment, and it often starts with being assertive. According to the Mayo Clinic, assertiveness not only leads to better communication but also boosts self-confidence, strengthens decision-making skills and produces higher job satisfaction. 

While you may already lean toward one style of communication or another, everyone can learn to be more assertive by practicing the following tips from the Mayo Clinic. 

Study the way you communicate.
Are you more likely to speak your mind or wait to see what your colleagues say? Do you ever find yourself feeling resentful because your voice is not heard, or do people hesitate to go to you for help? Determine your strengths and growth areas, and then look for small ways to practice balanced communication. 

Do not be afraid to say no.
If you have too much on your plate, set boundaries for yourself by being polite and direct. Practice expressing your needs clearly by making statements like, “I do not have the capacity to take on a new project at this time.” Never hesitate to ask for the support you need. 

Be slow to place blame.
The purpose of being assertive is to state your intentions clearly without projecting blame or frustration onto those around you. Use “I” statements to speak your mind calmly and confidently. 

Think before you speak.
If you struggle to speak your mind, write out what you want to communicate ahead of time or rehearse your exchange with a friend or colleague. If you find yourself getting emotional in the moment, take a deep breath and keep your voice firm and calm. While emotions are natural during conflicts, they can prevent people from communicating assertively. Remember, you can take a moment to collect yourself or briefly step away from a difficult conversation before trying again with a clearer mind. 

Your communication style will not change overnight, but by practicing being assertive, you can gain confidence over time and benefit everyone around you. If you are struggling to make progress on your own, Dallas ISD’s Employee Assistance Program by LifeWorks offers confidential, secure training programs that focus on topics like communication, anger management and work well-being. All Dallas ISD employees can access these CareNow Programs, no contribution required.

Learn more by reaching out to LifeWorks at (972) 925-4000 or visit www.dallasisd.org/benefits and click on Benefits Resources to access online EAP information.

*Source: Mayo Clinic

On Saturday, May 7, 103 district facilities will be used as voting centers for the constitutional amendment and primary run off elections taking place in May. Department heads, principals and office managers of facilities assigned to serve as polling locations are asked to prepare and staff their facilities accordingly.   

• All listed facilities should be opened at 5:30 a.m. on both dates. Election judges will need access to the buildings until 10:00 p.m. or until the election staff is finished for the evening.
• Ensure that school staff cooperate with the election judges regarding setup requests and that polling locations are presentable.
• A custodian will be required to work overtime on Saturday, May 7.  Two custodians may split the time, but there should be no overlap of time between the custodians and the combined total hours worked should not exceed 16.5 hours.  
• Custodial staff must use the supplemental pay icon on the biometric time and must clock in and out, using the activity code 126802. 
• Please note that at no time should a district facility be left unattended by district personnel. 

Because the primary runoff election on May 24 falls on a Tuesday, a regular workday, no overtime will be paid to custodians assigned to open/close the building for this election.    

Please direct questions to Orlando Alameda at (972) 925-5142, or OAlameda@dallasisd.org.

The Leader Excellence, Advancement and Development department is launching cohort two of the Future Principals Institute and is looking for candidates.

The Future Principals Institute is a one-year professional development program designed to prepare high-performing leaders to be principal-ready in the next one to two years. FPI’s curriculum is grounded in the essential work of a school leader: leading instruction, leading people, and leading systems.

If you want to see and hear how leaders across Dallas ISD are reacting to this incredible opportunity, watch a special video about the institute: https://youtu.be/DTutNbwJYB8.

The ideal candidate for this program is someone who:

• Is committed to personal and professional growth
• Is eager to collaborate and share feedback with peers
• Has a passion for the people and future of our district
• Is interested in enhancing their leadership capabilities necessary for leadership
• Is ready and committed to pursuing a principal position in the next two years

Applications will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. on May 8. The application may be accessed by visiting the program page at tiny.cc/futureprincipalsinstitute.

Starting in June, the district will be closed on Fridays as central staff employees begin to work the summer schedule four-day week from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Monthly employees
Employees who are paid monthly will work the four-day work week from June 6 through July 29 and resume their regular work hours on Aug. 1.

Biweekly employees
Employees who are paid biweekly will work a four-day workweek from June 10 through Aug. 4. Biweekly employees will NOT work on June 10 if they participate in the four-day workweek. They will resume their regular hours on Aug. 5.

The Schedule
Employees are responsible for consulting with their supervisor to determine the start, end, and lunch times of their daily work schedule during the summer. Employees approved to take a working lunch will only be required to stay at the worksite or be available remotely for 10 hours. Employees will be compensated for the “working lunch” time, and it will be considered part of normal work hours.

Supervisors may allow employees to work a schedule other than the four-day workweek as long as the modification does not negatively affect the functions of the department. In addition, some departments may choose to return to the regular work schedule sooner. Decisions regarding the work schedule are at the discretion of the department supervisor. In addition, divisional leadership may modify the employee’s work schedule to meet campus, divisional, or district needs. An event such as New Teacher Academy or a back-to-school program may require a change to the work schedule in order to provide support.

Juneteenth and Summer Break
Juneteenth is now a federal holiday, and the district will be closed on June 20 for the Juneteenth holiday observance.

The district will also be closed for summer break July 4-8. Employees will not be allowed to work for pay while the district is closed unless the employee has received prior written approval from their department chief. All central staff will return to work on July 11.

Dallas ISD is celebrating School Lunch Hero Day by asking you to show your appreciation to a school nutrition employee with a simple thank you for what they do. 

“Between preparing healthy meals for Dallas ISD students, adhering to strict nutrition standards, navigating student food allergies and offering service with a smile, Dallas ISD food service professionals are truly heroes to our school community and deserve to be recognized,” said Michael Rosenberger, executive director of Food and Child Nutrition Services. “On Friday, May 6, 2022, we will celebrate the Eighth Annual School Lunch Hero Day! We want to invite you to help us celebrate these true heroes.”   

How can you show your favorite school nutrition heroes that you value them?

Vote for your favorite school cafeteria staff from May 2 to May 6 at www.dallasisd.org/lunchhero so they can be in the running for a prize. Students can also create thank-you notes or drawings and drop them off at the cafeteria. 

Learning acceleration and recovery is impossible when students cannot make it to class, which is why Dallas ISD committed so much time and effort to providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at every campus and office. As soon as the COVID-19 pandemic began, the district started purchasing materials required to keep students and staff safe and healthy, including air purifiers, plexiglass, hand sanitizer, wipes and backpack sprayers. 

The cost of the district’s pandemic response in those first years was substantial, but Assistant Superintendent of Maintenance and Facility Services David Bates said Dallas ISD was in a “great position financially” at the time and was able to support the initial costs. Even better, $23 million out of $26 million have since been reimbursed thanks to funds from FEMA. Funding from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund is helping cover some of the costs. 

“Between FEMA and ESSER, we really didn’t pay anything for PPE, which has been phenomenal,” Bates said. “We’re in a position now where we’re ready. And thanks to ESSER, moving forward our district will not have to pay out of pocket, look to FEMA for reimbursement   or tap into our fund balance. We have ESSER dollars at our disposal if we need them.”

Over the next two years, Dallas ISD has allocated up to $6 million a year in ESSER funds to cover PPE and cleaning costs, but Bates does not anticipate using the entire budget unless a new variant appears or some other pandemic setback occurs. For now, Bates’ team is working to restock campus supplies so PPE can be accessed as needed.

Ultimately, the goal is to not use ESSER funds for PPE and cleaning, because that will mean these safety measures are no longer needed, Bates said. Until then, the district is taking steps to be prepared no matter what the future may hold. 

“There’s so much to be done for our kids holistically,” Bates said. “ESSER can touch every part of the kid’s life. It is not just the teacher who stands in front of them, but also the air that’s coming through the vent. We have to keep kids in school, and ESSER is going to allow us to do that. And these kids need it more than ever.” 

To learn more about Dallas ISD’s federally-funded pandemic recovery efforts, visit https://www.dallasisd.org/esser.